Helpers--Production Workers salary in Iowa
Helpers--Production Workers in Iowa earn a median of $45,560 a year ($21.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,390 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $39,070. Iowa ranks 3rd of 49 states for Helpers--Production workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.3 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,850 | $16.75 |
| 25th percentile | $42,840 | $20.60 |
| Median | $45,560 | $21.91 |
| 75th percentile | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| Average (mean) | $45,840 | $22.04 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,796.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,898.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,752.31 |
| Weekly | $876.15 |
| Hourly | $21.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $52,050 | 200 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $48,520 | 420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,710 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $44,170 | 180 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $41,740 | 50 |
| Ames, IA | $39,070 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,620 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Tire Builder | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,340 | $23.72 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9198. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Helpers--Production workers make in Iowa?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in Iowa is $45,560 a year, or $21.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in Iowa earn at least $54,390 a year. The top 25% earn $50,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,850 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $42,840 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in Iowa?
About 2,070 Helpers--Production workers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.